Here you can read about our wonderful area, and also pick up quick tips about real estate, and the local market.

Homeownership Terms to Know: Pre-Approval, Pre-Qualification & More

March 7, 2023

Throughout the home buying process, you’ll encounter several checkpoints. At every stop, you’ll get closer to the ultimate goal of purchasing your next home. Each one satisfies unique criteria required to become a homeowner, and each one has its own terminology. Before you begin your home buying journey, it’s helpful to know about pre-approval, pre-qualification, and […]

Market Insights: January 2023

February 16, 2023

January 2023 in Stanwood and Camano Island ended on an encouraging note with pending sales reaching the highest level since September and surging nearly 26% above December. New Listings: Camano Island had 20 new listings hit the market in January. Stanwood had 15 new listings compared to 21 last January. Overall, 35 new listings were […]

What’s a Home Warranty and Why Do You Need One?

February 7, 2023

To be a homeowner is to understand that things can change at a moment’s notice. It’s only a matter of time before the systems in your home break and your appliances are on the fritz. But this inevitable truth isn’t meant to be all doom and gloom. Fortunately, you can protect yourself against these events […]

Windermere Chief Economist Shares Local Predictions for 2023

January 31, 2023

Matthew Gardner, Windermere’s Chief Economist, joined us at the Camano Center where he delivered his 2023 forecast for Stanwood and Camano Island. He provided an in-depth look at the local market and highlighted key trends that will impact the area’s housing market over the next few years. His forecast provided essential insight into where Camano […]

Market Insights: December 2022

January 12, 2023

The 2022 real estate market in Stanwood and Camano Island “ended with a whimper rather than a bang”, stated Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist at Windermere Real Estate. “Overall, the housing market is going to continue falling off the ‘sugar high’ that was a function of the artificially low mortgage rates during the pandemic,” he added. […]

Staying Safe When Selling Your Home

January 10, 2023

Staying organized while selling your home can feel impossible, especially if you’re buying a new home at the same time. There’s also the pressure to keep your home clean and tidy for showings to prospective buyers. In all the chaos, taking the proper safety precautions can fall by the wayside, but it is something that should […]

5 Interior Design Trends for 2023

December 20, 2022

The interior design trends of 2022 included a renaissance of colorful decorating, a preference for sustainable materials, and incorporating nature throughout the home. They reflected the continued evolution of our lifestyles in recent years and showed an overall desire for our homes to be somewhere we can relax, decompress, and focus on our wellbeing. With 2023 just […]

Market Insights: November 2022

December 12, 2022

November 2022 in Stanwood and Camano Island was kicked off with an early seasonal holiday slowdown. This seasonal pause, combined with local weather, interest rates, economic news, and a volatile stock and crypto market made it easier for buyers and sellers to place large decisions on hold. New Listings: Camano Island had only 18 new […]

Real Estate Terminology: Contingent, Pending, Under Contract, and More

December 6, 2022

Different real estate transactions have different conditions based on the status of the listing. The following information is meant to clarify some common real estate terms that describe a home for sale and its position in the closing process. For sellers, understanding this terminology will inform your conversations with your agent when it comes time to […]

Local Holiday Events

November 29, 2022

Ah, the holiday season. The perfect time to cozy up, drink warm beverages, and spend more time with friends and family. These are the few weeks of the year when we feel life slows down and we’re able to create memories with all our close ones.    Attending fun holiday events with your family is […]

Remodeling Projects to Avoid When Selling Your Home

November 22, 2022

It’s common for homeowners to feel compelled to remodel their homes before they sell. Renovating the spaces in your home can increase its value and help you compete with comparable listings in your area. However, some remodeling projects are more beneficial than others as you prepare to sell your home. Always talk to your agent to determine […]

Market Insights: October 2022

November 17, 2022

October 2022 in Stanwood and Camano Island saw buyers being able to take more time to purchase a home with less competition and time pressures than we saw just months ago. We are seeing a return to creative financing methods as tools to combat higher interest rates and bring homes to more affordable mortgage payments […]

How to Maintain Curb Appeal

November 15, 2022

When it comes to the first impression your home makes on passers-by and potential buyers, curb appeal is perhaps even more important than interior design and layout. When you’re trying to sell or rent a property, it’s vital that people get a good first impression, and the view of your home from the outside is […]

House vs. Townhouse vs. Condo

November 8, 2022

Deciding between a house, townhouse, and condominium can be a difficult process. Understanding how the characteristics of each housing type aligns with your life goals and finances will help you work with your agent to identify which housing type is right for you. Renting vs Buying: Which is better for you? How do you define […]

PNW Wildlife

November 1, 2022

The Stanwood/Camano Island area is home to beautiful and active natural environments that are full of native PNW wildlife.   If you’re looking to reconnect with the natural world and appreciate some beautiful animals from a respectful distance, then Stanwood and Camano Island are the perfect places to start!   This article will introduce you […]

13 Appliance Tips & Hacks for Household Chores

October 25, 2022

Modern home appliances make our lives so much easier. They tackle dreaded household chores, saving us time and effort. There are lots of ways to use them, however, that you may not have thought of before. Here are 13 little-known tricks for getting more than your money’s worth from your appliances. 13 Appliance Tips & […]

Market Insights | September 2022

October 18, 2022

September 2022 in Stanwood and Camano Island was like the pre-pandemic September of 2019. We cannot compare today’s housing market with the COVID stimulus market of 2020 – early 2022. Windermere’s Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner has dubbed this period “The Great Reversion”. Sales volume has dipped a little in our area, which is common for […]

What Is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)?

October 4, 2022

An integral part of the formula to successfully buying a home is securing the correct amount of financing. Once you’ve found the home you’d like to pursue, one of your primary tasks is exploring different loan products to see which best fits your situation. Eventually, you’ll come to a fork in the road where you’ll need […]

Finding Your Style

September 27, 2022

Deciding to invest your money into building or buying a home is a major life choice that will have a lasting impact on you and your family. This is why it’s vital that your home fits your family’s needs and embodies the style and design scheme you’ve always dreamed about.    There’s usually so much […]

Market Insights | August 2022

September 15, 2022

. August 2022 in Stanwood and Camano Island was an August with market conditions similar to what we experienced in pre-pandemic times. Sales volume has dipped a little in our area, which is common for August, but the average sales price is continuing to hold steady. Many of the homes that are going under contract […]